Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has clarified his earlier remarks on Jasprit Bumrah regarding the "pick and choose" approach in Test cricket. While he previously expressed disapproval of the policy, Pathan recently explained that his comments were not directed at Bumrah personally.. Instead, he emphasized that his concerns were aimed at the team management responsible for making such decisions.
When Bumrah missed a couple of matches during the England tour, he came under heavy scrutiny from cricket critics, especially for skipping the crucial Oval Test, which turned out to be the series decider.
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Bumrah was lethal in the three Tests he featured in during the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, picking up 14 wickets with ease, almost like he was taking them for fun. However, despite his brilliance with the ball, India didn’t manage to win a single Test in which he played.
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Pathan cleared the air on his comments about Jasprit Bumrah, giving full credit to the pacer for prioritising Test cricket despite battling back injuries, something not many have done. The veteran all-rounder made it clear that his issue wasn’t with Bumrah’s attitude but with how the management is handling him.
“A lot of people think I was questioning his attitude, not at all. Why would I target someone who’s putting Test cricket first, especially after a serious back injury, when most don’t? I’m not that stupid. All I’m saying is, once you're on the field, you’ve got to give it everything. And if the management continues using him in short spells, just five-six overs, we’re not going to get the results we want in the long run,” Pathan said on RezSportz.
However, Pathan made it clear, managing workload is fine, but if Bumrah is in the XI and still not being used to his full potential, it only makes winning tougher for the team.
"We will manage his workload but even at an important time like the Lord's Test, if we look to manage workload, how will the result come? You can push it at the time when it is needed. The recovery and management can happen after the game. If you are playing just three games and in that also you bowl just few overs in a spell, it gets difficult for the team," he concluded.
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